Athens is the ancient and modern capital of Greece, and one of the world’s oldest and most famous cities, with a recorded history that spans 3,400 years.
It was a powerful city-state at its peak in the classical period, which lasted roughly from the end of the Persian Wars around 450 BC until the Macedonian conquest of 338 BC. During that phase, Athens was a centre of learning, and philosophical thought generally considered to be the cradle of Western Civilization and democracy.
Its ancient monuments – from the classical period and also the Roman age – are too numerous to list. The most famous landmarks are undoubtedly the Parthenon and the Acropolis – both of them instantly recognisable symbols of Western Civilization. Less famous, but just as important is the remains of the Agora – the marketplace which also served as the city’s forum for artistic, political and philosophical debate throughout the classical period.
In the 2nd century BC, Athens was absorbed into the Roman Republic. During 500 years of Roman occupation, it continued to flourish as a centre of learning and philosophy. But in 529 AD, with Christianity on the rise, the schools of philosophy in Athens were closed, in what is generally considered to be the point marking the end of the city’s ancient history.
Today it is a flourishing city of over 3 million people, and – for its embarassing wealth of cultural heritage – one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in the world.
